Anxious Minds, Sick Bodies: Why Psychology Matters More Than You Think
Endurance athletes often expect physical fatigue after a race—but illness is also common. Respiratory infections frequently appear in the days following marathons and ultra-endurance events, disrupting training and performance plans.
While intense physical stress is known to affect immunity, the role of psychological factors has received far less attention. A recent scientific study sheds new light on how anxiety and mood disturbances before competition can shape health outcomes after the race.
The Link Between Mind, Immunity and Endurance
The immune system has a first line of defence at mucosal surfaces such as the mouth, nose and airways.
A key marker of this defence is salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), an antibody that helps protect against respiratory infections.
This study investigated whether psychological state before exercise could influence:
the risk of respiratory infection after a marathon
the immune response to endurance exercise
How the Research Was Conducted
Two complementary studies were performed.
1. Marathon cohort study
406 adult runners were assessed before a marathon
Anxiety and mood state were measured pre-race
Respiratory symptoms were tracked for two weeks before and after the race
50 runners developed a respiratory infection post-marathon
2. Laboratory study
45 adults completed a 60-minute moderate-intensity treadmill run
A seated control trial was also performed
Saliva samples were collected before and after exercise
Psychological measures were recorded before each condition
Key Findings
Higher pre-race anxiety increased post-marathon infection risk
Greater mood disturbance also predicted illness
Anxiety and mood disturbance were linked to larger reductions in salivary IgA after exercise
The immune marker alone did not predict infection—psychology was the driver
In the lab study, these effects were stronger in men
In simple terms:
athletes with higher anxiety and mood disturbance were more likely to get sick after endurance exercise.
Why This Matters for Athletes
Illness after competition is not just bad luck.
Psychological stress:
alters immune responses
increases vulnerability during key training and competition phases
can compromise long-term consistency
Ignoring mental health means ignoring a critical performance variable.
The Role of Sport Psychology
Sport psychology is not only about motivation or focus—it also supports:
stress regulation
emotional balance
recovery capacity
immune resilience
Effective psychological support can reduce anxiety, stabilise mood and help athletes arrive at competition both mentally and physically prepared.
Sport Psychology at ARA Performance & Recovery (Andorra)
At ARA Performance & Recovery, located in the center of Andorra, our sport psychologists work with endurance athletes to manage:
competition anxiety
chronic stress and emotional fatigue
sleep quality during heavy training blocks
mental load during tapering and key races
By integrating psychological support into performance planning, we help athletes:
reduce illness risk
improve recovery quality
train and compete with greater consistency
Performance starts in the mind.
And health depends on it.
